Delaware Fish Facts for The Recreational Angler

Yellowtail Flounder have eyes on the right side (summer, four-spot and windowpane flounder have their eyes on the left side).

They are reddish brown dotted with rusty red spots on top with a yellowish white belly.

The tips of the fins and tail have a distinct yellowish color.

It has a small mouth and thick fleshy lips and eyes that almost touch each other.

Illustration by Original line drawing by H.L. Todd, Courtesy University of Washington Libraries

Season	Open All-Year
Size Limit	No Size Limit in State of Delaware waters (coast to 3 miles offshore) 13 inch minimum Federal waters (3 to 200 miles offshore)
Daily Limit / Person	No Limit
Delaware Range	Atlantic Ocean
Abundance in Delaware Waters	Uncommon - this species is more common north of Delaware.
General Habitat and Food Preferences	Yellowtail Flounder prefer sandy or sand/mud bottoms at depths of 100 to 350 feet. They feed on amphipods (small shrimp like creatures), small shrimps, marine worms, small crabs, and occasionally small fishes.
Did You Know?	Yellowtail Flounder, like most flounder, use camouflage and can change the color and pattern of their dark side to match the surrounding bottom.
Common Lures and Baits	Yellowtail Flounder are almost always caught accidentally by anglers fishing for other species. They are most often caught on bottom rigs with squid strips.
Typical Sizes Caught	In general, Yellowtail Flounder are caught by anglers in the range of 15 to 18 inches (1 to 2 pounds).
Citation Minimum Length and Weight	Live Release Award Adult: 25 inches minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 23 inches minimum Sport Fishing Tournament Award Adult: 7 pounds minimum Youth (age 15 and under): 5 pounds minimum Yellowtail Flounder are eligible for the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and Live Release "Flounder" awards, but due to their smaller size, catching one large enough to qualify is unlikely. Yellowtail Flounder are not currently eligible for an individual species citation.
Delaware State Record	17 pounds 15 ounces William Kendall 1974 Yellowtail Flounder are eligible for the general "Flounder" record, but due to their smaller size, catching one large enough to qualify is unlikely. Yellowtail Flounder are not currently eligible for an individual Delaware record.

Delaware's Government